Bane of Tenebris (Wolfgods Book 2) by Blaise Ramsay (i love reading books txt) 📕

the waiting room after receiving a phone call from him concerning an injured lycan. The look on the soldier’s face told the doctor their visit needed to be as private as possible. Kyle obliged, taking them to the examination room he kept empty in case he got any lycan patients in the ER.

The two lycans lifted Tobias onto the bed where Kyle proceeded to check on his wounds. “What in Tenebris’s name happened?”

Kain told him about the events on the bridge and the circumstances surrounding Tobias’ appearance. “Something is not right, Kyle. I recognize the types of wounds on his body.”

“What’re you thinking, old friend?” Kyle asked, concerned.

“I am not yet sure. He is Tala’s brother. I am conflicted on how suspicious I should be,” Kain replied.

“That’s not like you.”

Kain gritted his teeth. “I know. It is frustrating.”

Damien tugging at Kain’s mind forced him to end the conversation with a request to be kept up to date regarding Tobias’s condition.

After Kyle stabilized her brother, Tala sat next to his bedside, his hand in hers. Tears fell down her face.

Kain entered the room and sat next to her.

“I thought I was the only one who survived,” She said. “What happened to him?”

Kain didn’t answer. He stared at the bruises on Tobias’ face. Whoever inflicted them let him go, that much Kain knew. It was a tactic lycan generals employed to lower their opponent’s suspicions and it was effective.

“We should go back to the house.” Kain stood from the chair. He placed a hand on Tala’s shoulder. “I promise I will bring you back to see him.”

Hesitant, Tala stood from her chair and followed Kain out to his car, leaving her cell phone number with Kyle in case her brother woke up.

On the drive home, Kain and Damien spoke in their minds.

Damien informed Kain about a message Gabriel got from Ramona involving an emissary the vampire’s mother planned on sending to the pack’s house later that evening.

Tired and frustrated by the night’s events the last thing Kain wanted was to see a vampire. When asked where he and Tala had been, Kain responded by recounting the evening’s events. He told Damien about Tala’s brother, leaving out the suspicion he had regarding the lycan’s appearance.

Beside him, Tala stared outside, watching the trees rush by. Kain admired how the leather pants she wore hugged her hips closely, showing off her curves. Her deep red hair lit up with strands of amber in the passing lamps. How he longed to hold her as he made hot love with her.

“I am sure your brother will be fine. Kyle is one Sun’s hell of a doctor,” Kain said to reassure her.

Tala offered a weak smile in reply.

Kain let the subject drop upon seeing she didn’t want to talk.

“I’m sorry our night was ended like that.” Tala turned her body towards Kain, leaning against his arm on the rest between them.

“There is no need to apologize. Family is important. I’m glad your brother is alive and well. You know you are no longer alone,” Kain replied.

“Did you have any siblings? I don’t think you’ve told me, yet.”

Kain exhaled through his nose. His heart hurt at the memories of so many of his adopted family. “I do not know if I had any biological brothers or sisters. My adopted mother had pups of her own when my father married her, but he never told me if he had any.”

Tala lay against Kain’s arm. She asked Kain about who his real mother was. “I do not know. My father rarely spoke of her. When he did, he always looked so saddened, but I could tell she was the only one he ever truly loved.”

A pregnant silence resumed until Tala turned on the radio and proceeded to sing along with REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling.”

The jovial mood she exhibited made Kain curious. He asked Tala about the types of music she liked, what her favorite food was and what types of books she liked to read.

As they exchanged favorites, Kain felt his heart lighten despite his leeriness. It delighted him to learn so much more about the woman he’d come to love. She made him happier than anyone in many years.

His desire to do so much more than make-out with blossomed inside of him. No longer did he want to court her, his mind was made up. He wanted Tala as his mate, remembering the goddess’ word to protect him from Barghast’s wrath.

Kain parked his car to see Damien standing with his back to them. Gabriel, Scott, and Clint all stood with him. They appeared to be talking about something.

“Go inside, sweetheart,” Kain said to Tala. “I will meet you as soon as I know what this is about.”

Tala kissed Kain’s cheek before running into the house, greeting Damien on her way past him. Damien returned the greeting with one of his own.

Kain joined the other lycans, his face emotionless. “My apologies for my lateness. I had something to deal with.”

Kain’s eyes met Damien’s, the only lycan he told about Tala’s brother.

“No problem,” Gabriel said. He cocked his head, shrugging his shoulders. “The emissary isn’t here yet. Being a vampire, he has to wait until moonrise anyway.”

“Do we know what this meeting is about?” Kain inquired.

Damien straightened up from his leaning position. “We don’t know yet. Personally, I’m not keen on having another vampire in our territory.”

“Calm yourself, Damien. Meetings like this occurred many times in the Blood Wars. Let us hear what he has to say.” Kain patted Damien’s shoulder to comfort him.

The trembling beneath his hand made him aware of Damien’s unease.

Gabriel straightened from the position on the wall. “In any case, if I had to guess, Desdemona wants to end things as quickly as we do. The matriarch can’t risk showing a lack of control in light of Darius’ death.”

After a couple of hours, the waxing crescent of Luna’s face could be seen above the tree-line.

Kain stood with his arms crossed, his back